Treatment of refractory mastocytic enterocolitis with budesonide.

Mast cells (MCs) are being increasingly implicated as a possible contributor to symptoms in diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The term "mastocytic enterocolitis" was proposed to describe an increase in mucosal MCs in patients with chronic diarrhea due to functional gastrointestinal disease (FGID). The efficacy of anti-MC mediator therapy (antihistamines and MC stabilizers) has been well documented in this setting. Here we describe the treatment with oral budesonide of mastocytic enterocolitis refractory to standard anti-MC therapy.